Characteristics of high-water-uptake activated carbon/Nafion hybrid membranes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

A cost-effective and high-throughput method for producing high-water-uptake membranes is developed by combining high-porosity and superior-surface-area activated carbon with Nafion. The resultant activated carbon/Nafion hybrid composite exhibits high water uptake and an improved proton conductivity, which can be exploited in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). This hybrid membrane displays a superior performance to that of the commercial Nafion 211 when used in fuel-cell measurements. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is used to simulate the changes in resistance during the operation of the fuel cells and conclusively explains the improved performance of the composite membranes.